A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints misused tithing funds, ABC4 reports. The ruling affirms lower court findings that the First Amendment bars judicial review of how religious organizations use donated funds.

The case is one of several filed in recent years challenging the Church's financial practices, including its Ensign Peak Advisors investment fund. Courts have consistently dismissed these suits on religious freedom grounds.

The decision reinforces legal protections for religious organizations' internal financial decisions, though critics continue to call for greater transparency in how member donations are used.